The Relationship Between CRP Levels and Hospitalization, Discharge, Readmission and Mortality Rates of Geriatric Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department

Aim: This study aims to investigate the association between Creactive protein (CRP) levels and outcomes such as hospitalization, discharge, readmission, and mortality in geriatric patients (aged 65 and over) presenting to the emergency department for nontraumatic reasons. Material and Methods: CRP levels were retrospectively analyzed from blood tests taken during routine diagnostic and therapeutic processes for patients over 65 years of age who presented to the emergency department of a secondary state hospital for non-traumatic reasons between January 1, 2023, and June 30, 2023. Patients were categorized into five CRP level groups (5-50 mg/L, 51-100 mg/L, etc.) and evaluated for their medical history, complaints, hospitalization status, consultation requests, and mortality. Results: Patients with CRP levels between 5-100 mg/L were more frequently diagnosed with non-infective causes, while CRP levels over 101 mg/L were predominantly associated with infective causes. A statistically significant association was found between elevated CRP levels and increased rates of hospitalization and mortality (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A significant relationship was observed between CRP levels and the rates of consultation and hospitalization in geriatric patients admitted to the emergency department for nontraumatic reasons. Additionally, elevated CRP levels were strongly associated with increased mortality rates among hospitalized patients. The findings indicate that CRP levels exceeding 101 mg/L were associated with infectious diagnoses and poor outcomes, highlighting the need for close monitoring of these patients. CRP levels should be considered an integral part of the decision-making process in geriatric emergency patients